Physical Effects of Anxiety

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and medical history. A physical and psychological exam will be done.

There are no tests that can diagnose phobias. The diagnosis will be made based on your symptoms.

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment may include one or more of the following:

Therapy will be based on your individual needs. It may be done in combination with other treatment methods. Some therapy options include:

Exposure therapy—confront your fear in a planned and controlled way with a therapist. It may begin with thinking about the fear and slowly progress to being exposed to it. You may also learn relaxation techniques. These help to reduce panic and anxiety.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy
—work with your therapist to learn strategies to cope with your fear. You learn to change your beliefs and thoughts surrounding the fear and how it affects your life.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.